What are those things that basketball players sometimes wear right below their knees?

I was just watching a basketball game on t.v. and i saw alot of players wearing little black strips right below their knees. What are they and what do they do?What are those things that basketball players sometimes wear right below their knees?
Knee brace to keep it supported when playing.They help so you won't injure as bad as you could otherwise.What are those things that basketball players sometimes wear right below their knees?
sometimes they are pads to protect them if the fallWhat are those things that basketball players sometimes wear right below their knees?
is it some sort of tape? maybe its a sort of icy hot patch to soothe pain.



athletes might wear black tape after they had surgery or injuries.
well sometimes players have tendonitis right there in that spot and it causes pain

the strap you are talking about puts pressure on that spot making it not hurt at all or as much

happy wheels 2